The end of the year is a busy time for any middle-class family. There’s preparing for the holidays, protecting your kids against the seasonal crud, and gearing up for the financial challenges and opportunities of the new year. But getting everything in order financially can feel like just another stressor — especially if you’re not sure where to start. A simple checklist can help. After all, you use lists to manage everything else in your household, from grocery shopping to chores to getting everyone to ...

Core Insights - Chesapeake Financial Planners is expanding its team and service capabilities in response to increased client demand for professional financial guidance [1][2][3] - The firm has launched a redesigned website aimed at enhancing transparency and usability for prospective clients [3][4] Company Developments - The firm has added new team members to support its growing client base while maintaining personalized service quality [7][8] - The new hires will assist in various operational areas, ensuring the firm can handle increased planning volume effectively [8] Client Focus - Chesapeake Financial Planners primarily serves business owners, technology executives, and individuals nearing or in retirement, who face complex financial situations [10] - The firm operates as a fiduciary, legally obligated to act in clients' best interests, distinguishing it from firms with less stringent requirements [11] Recognition and Expertise - Jeff Judge, the Managing Partner, has received the Five Star Wealth Manager award annually from 2017 to 2026, based on objective criteria [12] - As the sole CFP® designee at the firm, Judge brings rigorous training and ethical standards to client engagements [13] Strategic Vision - The operational updates reflect a commitment to sustainable growth, focusing on building infrastructure that supports long-term client relationships [14]

It might surprise people that my husband and I pay a financial planner, given that I spend a lot of time on financial, tax, and investment planning at work. However, hiring a planner has delivered a return that can’t be quantified: peace of mind. Here are some key reasons we pay for financial advice. 1) We wanted a second opinion on a few important decisions. I wanted a different perspective on less-familiar subjects, such as handling employer stock, and whether we needed long-term care insurance. We c ...

Wealth Enhancement has acquired Spectrum Wealth Management, an independent registered investment adviser (RIA) based in Irvine, California, US, along with its affiliated certified public accounting firm Putman Group. The transaction will add a team comprising an adviser, 14 financial professionals, and five support staff into Wealth Enhancement, overseeing more than $182m in client assets. Spectrum Wealth Management founder and principal Benjamin Ross Putman leads this team alongside Sanaz Afshar, Josep ...

Patricio Nahuelhual / Getty Images Many retirees say they can't absorb a surprise expense. Here's what experts suggest. Key Takeaways Only a small proportion of retirees say they're equipped to handle a financial shock, according to a T. Rowe Price survey. Financial planners say the most common financial shocks retirees face are medical expenses that Medicare doesn’t cover and housing-related costs. In life, accidents happen. But when they occur during retirement, it's important to be prepared—other ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the importance of managing irregular expenses through a financial tool known as a sinking fund, which helps individuals prepare for planned, non-monthly expenses without disrupting their budget [4][5][6] Group 1: Sinking Fund Overview - A sinking fund is a savings account designated for planned, non-monthly expenses, allowing individuals to set aside money to cover these costs without financial strain [4][5] - Examples of expenses that can be managed with a sinking fund include yearly travel, insurance premiums, property taxes, car maintenance, and tax payments [5] Group 2: Financial Education Gap - The concept of sinking funds is not widely recognized, despite being a practical solution for managing intermittent expenses, as personal finance education often focuses on emergency funds and long-term investments [6]

MoMo Productions / Getty Images Designate your heirs as your beneficiaries to ensure they receive your 401(k). Key Takeaways Your 401(k) passes to the person you name on a beneficiary form—not through your will. Spouses and non-spouses face different rules and tax implications when inheriting a 401(k). Forgetting to update your beneficiary or leaving it blank can lead to probate and unintended recipients. Your 401(k) could be one of your biggest assets. But what happens to it after you die? Unli ...

You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters. Storen Financial, a financial planning and accounting firm headquartered in Zionsville, Ind. with $500 million in assets, has launched its own registered investment advisor, Storen Legacy Partners, with support from Dynasty Financial Partners.  Storen, led by husband-and-wife team Greg and Kim Storen, was previously affiliated with LPL Financial and Brass Tax Wealth Management, an RIA in B ...

Core Insights - As retirement approaches, reallocating a 401(k) is essential for balancing growth, income, and risk to ensure savings last through retirement [1][2] - Investors in their 50s are shifting from aggressive saving to strategies that protect their savings while supporting a sustainable withdrawal rate [1][2] Risk Assessment and Financial Needs - At age 55, risk tolerance typically declines, but the need for growth remains to outpace projected inflation of 2.6% annually by 2026 [4] - Evaluating comfort with market volatility is crucial, as well as considering the size of the 401(k), other assets, and expenses [5] - A conservative approach is viable if a 4% withdrawal rate covers living costs, such as $40,000 annually from a $1 million portfolio [5] Investment Strategy - A common guideline for asset allocation for a 55-year-old is 55% in stocks and 45% in bonds, with stocks historically averaging 7% real returns since 1928 and bonds yielding about 4% [3][7] - Target-date funds can automatically adjust allocations to become more conservative as retirement nears [3] - Reallocating a 401(k) should be gradual to avoid locking in losses or missing growth opportunities [7]

Britain's Schroders is exploring possible options for its financial planning business Benchmark Capital, including a potential sale, two people familiar with the matter said. ...